It’s a new year, and we have a LOT of new Presidents. Meet them all below!
Brian Lin, LYF
Previous position and years in position: Secretary (16-17)
Boba drink of choice? Milk tea, no boba, 0% sugar
What song do you currently have on repeat? App – My First
Is a hot dog a sandwich? The word sandwich is arbitrarily defined and I refuse to harbor strong opinions about whose definition is correct
What’s your New Year’s Resolution? None because I’m perfect
How did you initially get involved in TACL? I have been involved in the TA community since 2010 and just didn’t really stop. Probably will stop next year.
Ben Watkins, TAP-New York
Previous positions and years in positions: Social Chair (15-16), Vice President (17)
Boba drink of choice? Jasmine milk tea with boba, whole milk, 30% sugar, less ice. Or anything with real milk. Once you go real, you can’t go back to that non-dairy creamer anymore.
What song do you currently have on repeat? Come Alive by Paris Hilton
Is a hot dog a sandwich? No, why??
What’s your New Year’s Resolution? Create smarter monthly goals versus a year-long resolution that I’ll probably forget and/or be too overwhelmed to think about how to accomplish. First up for January, complete my AFAA group fitness instruction certification.
How did you initially get involved in TACL? I was very involved with my college’s TA group (shoutout to PTS!) and when I moved to New York, I started coming out to TAP events. It was inevitable I’d eventually start planning them given that my friend (Alex Shih), coworker (Charles Pan), and roommate (Ray Tsai) were all board members.
David Shau, TAP-Atlanta (Co-President)
Previous positions and years in positions: Social Chair (16), Professional (17)
Boba drink of choice? Almond Milk Tea or Taro Milk Green Tea depending on weather
What song do you currently have on repeat? None. But if I was to have one on repeat, it’d be Panda.
Is a hot dog a sandwich? No. Hot dog is a hot dog, not a sandwich. Just like a burger is a burger, and not a sandwich.
What’s your New Year’s Resolution? None, but if I was to have one, it’d probably be to drink less bubble tea.
How did you initially get involved in TACL? I reached out to Wellington (President of TAP-ATL at the time) via email when I first moved to Atlanta in 2015 from Nashville. Met some awesome members/officers then interviewed for a board position, and the rest is history.
Eric Tseng, TAP-Los Angeles (Co-President)
Previous position and years in position: Health & Wellness Chair (16-17)
Boba drink of choice? Green Tea Boba with ½ sugar
What song do you currently have on repeat? Chainsmokers – “I want something just like this”
Is a hot dog a sandwich? A hot dog is an ingredient that becomes a sandwich when added to a gluten-free, organic, sesame bun
What’s your New Year’s Resolution? Gain the ability to run two miles without stopping & also to be able to balance on one leg for over at least 1 minute
Justin Chang, TAP-Austin
Previous position and years in position: VP, Internal (16-17)
Boba drink of choice? Jasmine Milk Tea with Boba with little ice and 30% sugar
What song do you currently have on repeat? BTS – Best of Me
Is a hot dog a sandwich? A hot dog is a sandwich just like a pizza is a sandwich without the top bread
What’s your New Year’s Resolution? Super Abs
How did you initially get involved in TACL? I met Erica Liu and became VP – Internal
Louis Lau, TAP-San Diego
Previous position and years in position: Sponsorship Chair (16-17)
Boba drink of choice? Milk Green Tea, Hot, 25% sugar with two cup sleeves
What song do you currently have on repeat? Song 2 by Blur
Is a hot dog a sandwich? No! it is far more unique than just a sandwich, it is a Weiner on a bun!
What’s your New Year’s Resolution? Do a front or back flip.
How did you initially get involved in TACL? Through local non-profit involvements which lead me to TAP-San Diego!
Michael Chen, TAP-Los Angeles
Previous position and years in position: SGV Social Chair (17)
Boba drink of choice? Wintermelon Ice Tea (not a boba drink, but I loooove it)
What song do you currently have on repeat? Anything Jay Chou I always have on repeat
Is a hot dog a sandwich? Hot dog is NOT a sandwich
What’s your New Year’s Resolution? I don’t usually do NYRs, but if I had to pick, probably get more in shape
How did you initially get involved in TACL? I was bored one day during summer and I saw a TAP picnic event and said “Eh, why not go check it out.” Little did I know that decision would change my life…
Oliver Jan, TAP-Atlanta (Co-President)
Previous position and years in position: Professional/Social Chair (17)
Boba drink of choice? Taro Milk Tea with Boba and Lychee
What song do you currently have on repeat? Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton
Is a hot dog a sandwich? Is a sandwich a hot dog?
What’s your New Year’s Resolution? To have the best year of my life
How did you initially get involved in TACL? At a night market on my old college campus in 2014; TAP had a table and we made red bean cakes
Tom Chen, TAP-DC
Previous position and years in position: Social Committee (15-16), Tech Chair & Lunar New Year Chair (16-17)
Boba drink of choice? Taro Smoothie
What song do you currently have on repeat? Alan Walker – Faded
Is a hot dog a sandwich? Hot dog sandwich?? nah, it’s a hot dog.
What’s your New Year’s Resolution? Trek to Mount Everest base camp
How did you initially get involved in TACL? First TAP-DC event was happy hour at Wine & Co. Bethesda in 2014. Then Jenny Lin.
Vivian Liu, TAP-San Francisco
Previous position and years in position: Social Chair (TAP-BOS 12-13), Social Chair (TAP-SF 15), Cultural Festival Director (TAP-SF 16-17)
Boba drink of choice? Passion Fruit Green Tea with Aloe Jelly
What song do you currently have on repeat? Dress by Taylor Swift
Is a hot dog a sandwich? No
What’s your New Year’s Resolution? Walk my dog more
How did you initially get involved in TACL? Pamela tricked me into being on a speaker panel